The results are in, the votes have been counted, and the Diocese of Leeds is pleased to share our new representatives to the Church of England’s General Synod.
Eight lay people and nine members of clergy have been elected to the body, which acts as the national assembly for the Church of England, considering and approving legislation affecting the whole of the Church of England, formulating new forms of worship, debating matters of national and international importance, and approving the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level.
Our representatives for this new session also include three bishops: the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Huddersfield, and the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon, who is now newly serving on General Synod.
Alongside Bishop Helen-Ann, our representatives for this session include four clergy and four lay people who have also been elected to General Synod for the first time.
The Revd Che Seabourne, elected to General Synod for the first time, said: “It is a great privilege to have been elected to the General Synod, and I am excited to get started in November.
“The elections and hustings were held in a spirit of both collegiality and good disagreement, and I was surprised and delighted to be elected from such a strong field of candidates.
“Please pray for all those elected, and those who stood.
“It takes bravery and commitment to take part in the process.
“I’m also happy to hear from colleagues with questions and comments, as we move into a critical time for governance in the Church of England.”
Jane Evans, also elected for the first time and serving in the House of Laity, said: "I am thrilled to have been elected as one of our diocese's representatives on General Synod.
“There's an exciting and wide-ranging programme of work ahead and I'm looking forward to working with colleagues from all over the country as we strive to ensure the Church of England is seen as relevant, welcoming and an exciting place from which to worship God."
Bishop Helen-Ann said: “My involvement with LLF and the Governance Review, given these will both be important areas of work in the life of General Synod in this next 5-year period, led me to stand for election.
“I hope also to be a voice for our diverse rural communities, and also education.”
Those elected to the House of Laity are: David Ashton MBE, Alexander Berry, Canon Jane Evans, Canon Professor Joyce Hill, Stephen Hogg, Dr Richard Mantle OBE, Catherine Stephenson and Dr Diana Tremayne.
Those elected as Proctors in Convocation are: the Ven Paul Ayers, the Revd Canon John Bavington, the Revd Canon Paul Cartwright, the Revd Canon Rachel Firth, the Revd Angela Hannafin, the Revd Canon Joyce Jones, the Revd Ruth Newton, the Revd Che Seabourne and the Revd Gary Waddington.
To see our full results, please click here.